School Board Pressed To Investigate Coach

Accuser Defends Himself At Meeting

September 14, 2004|By LORETTA WALDMAN; Courant Staff Writer

NEW BRITAIN — The former equipment manager behind recent allegations of misconduct and fund-raising abuses by New Britain High School football coach Jack Cochran defended himself to parents and players Monday and pressed the school board to investigate.

Walter Darden, who spent a decade volunteering for the team, said his Aug. 26 letter to board members -- which accused Cochran of using fund-raising proceeds for casino gambling, parties and his own benefit -- was not a ``personal issue or a witch hunt.''

``I would never do anything to hurt the kids or the program,'' said Darden, who has resigned. ``I spent my own money to make sure we had everything we needed.''

Darden was one in a long list of speakers who signed up to address the board at the meeting, which drew about 100 people to the media center at Pulaski Middle School. They included both supporters and critics of the controversial coach, who did not attend the meeting. Cochran, who previously coached championship teams at Bloomfield High School, has not commented publicly on the allegations.

Derek Roberts, a senior on the football team, credited Cochran with helping him and other players both on and off the field -- providing mandatory study halls and helping them to believe in themselves and achieve their potential. He and two other players were among 70 sophomores to achieve goal on the Connecticut Academic Performance Test, he said.

``We have coach to thank for that,'' Roberts said.

Donald Jones, a parent, conveyed a very different view, describing the experience his two sons had playing under Cochran as ``heart-breaking.'' They diligently attended practices and took part in fund-raising activities while Cochran bent requirements and rules for players he considered stars, Jones said, including one member of the team put in the starting lineup days after being arrested.

``Coach Cochran definitely has two sets of rules for team members,'' Jones said.

Darden called his three years of coaching under Cochran ``hell.'' He told board members he had written the letter after Cochran accused him of stealing equipment. He said he spent more than $2,500 on items the team needed and attached receipts and invoices to the letter as proof.

Joanne Perez was one of several people to speak in support of Darden. She called him a ``father figure and mentor who never refused a request to help.''

``He's a stand-up, honorable guy,'' she said.

No matter where speakers stood on Darden or Cochran, they all agreed that players and the football program should not be penalized should the board decide to take action. Barbara Marino, whose two sons play football, implored board members to table any decisions until the season is over.

``Changes only punish the team,'' she said.

Superintendent Doris Kurtz assured parents there are no plans to interrupt the football season. Darden's complaints initially were investigated by school officials, and Kurtz has said they have been addressed.

Darden told board members Monday that as custodians of city schools, they had a responsibility to look into the claims if they deemed them to be true.

Board President Paul Amenta promised to take all of the comments into consideration, but did not say what the board's next step might be.